Goudreau Museum of Mathematics in Art and Science

Herricks Community Center; 999 Herricks Road, Room 202, New Hyde Park, NY 11040-1353
Tel. (516) 747-0777 / E-Mail: info@mathmuseum.org

Logic Problems for Little People (Grades K-2) Teddy bears, clowns and animals will be used in this workshop to help young children develop logical thinking to use as a problem-solving strategy.
It's Logical (Grades 3-5 or Grades 6-8) A variety of thought-provoking activities will be presented that will use logical thinking to solve challenging problems.
Welcome to Mathmagicland I and II (Grades K-5) Younger visitors will try a number of activities that appear to be magic, but are actually based on mathematical principles. Many of these activities are based on topology (rubber sheet geometry) and symmetry.
Discovering Dominoes (Grades 1-2 or Grades 3-4) Dominoes are more than just a matching game! A variety of primary math concepts will be reinforced using colorful sets of dominoes.
Math in Art-Tessellations (Grades 3-8) This hands-on workshop gives students experience in the concepts of shape, balance, symmetry, reflection, and 2-3 and 3-d space. Students will experiment with repeating geometric shapes and will create their own original Escher=type tessellation. Additionally, they will construct a geocube to display their work.

An unusual and fun investigation of symmetry, reflections, angles, and spatial perception through the use of mirrors. Participants will construct a forward-or rear-viewing periscope.

The hallmark workshop of the Math Museum. An introduction to the world of solid geometry though an in-depth look at the five Platonic Solids with some commentary on their place in the Classical Greek concept of the world. Euler's theorem will be introduced, as well as the concepts of duality, congruence, symmetry, truncation, compounding, and stellation. The workshop will involve the construction of some of the solids.

This hands-on workshop uses a potpourri of games and activities to develop probability concepts. Comparisons between experimental results and theoretical outcomes will be made.

This workshop will look at some surprising places to find math in and out of the classroom. Some of the topics include the Fibonacci Sequence, Golden Ratio, honeycombs, and the geometry of life. Models of nature will culminate with construction of solid models.

To ensure that your museum trip is a meaningful learning experience for students, groups are limited to 35 maximum. The museum can accommodate two groups at a time of up to 35 in each group.

Workshops can be scheduled throughout the day. (Monday through Friday, by appointment only. There is limited Saturday availability.) All workshops are two hours in length. Every effort will be made to accommodate your schedule and/or your bus restrictions. Morning programs generally begin between 9:30 am and 10:15 am. Early afternoon programs generally begin between 12 noon and 1 pm. Scout programs may begin between 3 pm and 4 pm.

* Often teachers choose to start a project at the Museum and complete it at school, thus allowing more time for puzzle exploration.

If your group members would like to purchase math-oriented souvenirs in the Museum Store during this time, please advise the instructor before the workshop begins. Items are available 15¢ to $30.

Cost: $154 for up to and including 22 students per Museum class. Cost for each additional student is $7. There is no charge for chaperones. A nonrefundable deposit of $50 per group must be submitted within two weeks of making your appointment. Checks should be payable to: Goudreau Museum of Mathematics.

For reservations, please call (516) 747-0777. No reservations will be taken via e-mail.

The Goudreau Math Museum is able to go on the road. For some schools, it may be easier to let the Math Museum do the traveling.

Workshops can be conducted during the school day. Due to the hands-on nature of the programs, workshops are designed to be presented to one class at a time. Cost for one Museum instructor and materials is $600 for the day. Cost of an additional instructor is $500. An additional charge (according to the IRS standard mileage rate) per mile over 25 miles each way from the Goudreau Museum's home in New Hyde Park.

The exact number of workshops given and the length of each workshop will depend on the structure of your school day. For example, we could offer three 1 hour and 10 minute programs or possibly five 40-minute programs. It is ideal that one classroom or all-purpose room be used for all workshops given in order to maximize workshop time and minimize the time spent moving and setting up materials and equipment.

Groups may choose from workshops that are regularly offered at the Goudreau Museum. Hands-on projects may be completed during the workshop timeframe, or if shorter workshops are scheduled, teachers may have their students bring the projects back to the classroom to finish it there.

Copyright © 2000 Goudreau Museum of Mathematics
Website design by Eleanor Lem, Stephanie Killian, Matt Russo, Matt Wolf. This site has been maintained by Museum Staff and Volunteers. If you are interested in getting involved, contact info@mathmuseum.org or call the Museum: 516-747-0777